Tallahassee, FL-The Florida Standards Assessments are an accurate way to measure students according to an independent study out today.
The computer-based tests were plagued with a series of technical difficulties in the spring. The problems mostly consisted of students not being able to log on.
The study was required by lawmakers after the tests were stopped in April due to the continuing problems. Alpine Testing Solutions was then contracted to do the study.
A written statement released by the State Department of Education said the study “confirmed the FSA is an accurate way to measure Florida’s students’ mastery of the standards.”
The release from the DOE says safeguards were put in place to mitigate the impact of cyber-attack attempts made against AIR, the company responsible for administering the FSA. The statement says the safeguards were “effective, evidenced by the fact that students were not impacted by cyber-attack attempts that occurred after the first week.” The DOE statement says no personally identifiable student information was accessed during the cyber-attacks.
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